Chapter 269: New Year Shrine Visit
A short while later, at Sensō-ji in Tokyo's Taitō Ward.
Amid the massive crowd of worshippers, Makoto's mother, Mechalyn, couldn't help widening her eyes, her face full of surprise as she exclaimed,
"Tokyo really has so many people…"
As she spoke, she turned to Kitasan Black and Almond Eye:
"Kita-chan, Ai-chan, be careful—you mustn't lose me in this crowd."
Before coming to Sensō-ji, after introductions, Kitasan Black and Almond Eye had already learned that Mechalyn had come specifically to visit Makoto.
Meanwhile, they had made plans the day before to visit the shrine today. So after introducing themselves and chatting briefly, everyone came here together.
Although they hadn't known her for long, Kitasan Black and Almond Eye had already realized that Makoto's mother didn't carry herself with the airs of an elder.
Not only was she easygoing, but she also had a very youthful mindset, able to chat with them effortlessly.
So now, hearing Mechalyn's half-joking tone, Kitasan Black couldn't help but smile and quickly nodded:
"Don't worry, Mechalyn-nee, I won't let you get lost!"
She had already grown used to this way of addressing her. Perhaps because of that sense of closeness, she had completely recovered from her earlier embarrassment.
After making her promise, she smiled confidently. Like an experienced tour guide, she pointed toward the temple and began explaining in a familiar tone:
"Look over there—that's the purification pavilion. Before worshipping, we wash our hands and rinse our mouths there to show respect to the gods."
"And over there, where you see the rising smoke—that's where we offer incense. Later we can buy some incense sticks and make offerings."
"After that, we go to the offering box. I've got coins ready, so we can make our wishes there!"
As Kitasan Black explained, the group moved along slowly with the crowd, washing their hands, offering incense, and making prayers in turn.
After praying, they went to the fortune-drawing area. Kitasan Black stepped forward first, her face full of excitement and anticipation as she drew a fortune slip from the box.
The moment she opened it, her eyes lit up. She turned to her Trainer and the others and shouted excitedly:
"I got Great Blessing!"
Seeing how thrilled she was, Makoto and Mechalyn smiled, while Almond Eye eagerly stepped forward, equally excited, and reached into the box.
Before long, just like Kitasan Black, she happily showed her fortune to everyone:
"Not as lucky as Kita-senpai, but I got Middle Blessing!"
After that, Makoto and Mechalyn each stepped forward to draw their own fortunes.
Like two juniors showing off, Mechalyn opened hers and displayed it around with a smile:
"I also got Middle Blessing. Looks like everyone's pretty lucky… what about you, Ma-kun? Don't drag us down."
Hearing that, Makoto paused for a moment as he unfolded his fortune, then smiled in relief as he showed it:
"Small Blessing. But as long as it's not Bad Luck or Great Misfortune, that's already pretty good."
Everyone was satisfied with their results.
Afterward, continuing her role as a tour guide, Kitasan Black led them to the area selling charms. They bought quite a few souvenirs like protective amulets and sacred arrows.
As the group wandered around, admiring the traditional architecture and lively atmosphere of Sensō-ji, quite a few visitors recognized Kitasan Black.
Some fans, upon recognizing her, immediately flushed red with excitement, their eyes sparkling as they quickly gathered around.
"K–Kitasan Black, I'm your loyal fan! C-Could I take a photo with you?"
A bespectacled boy who looked like a middle school student held up his phone expectantly.
Right after that, a girl in a kimono with her hair in a bun handed over a pen and paper:
"Kita-sama! Could you give me your autograph? It means so much to me! Please—this is my once-in-a-lifetime wish!"
At first, Kitasan Black looked a little surprised, as if she hadn't expected to run into such enthusiastic fans here.
But very quickly, she responded in a calm and mature manner.
She first took the pen and paper, carefully signing her name for the girl, writing each stroke with great care.
Then she stood beside the boy with glasses, smiling brightly at the camera as they took a photo together.
After that came more autographs, photos, and even receiving all kinds of small gifts.
During this, Kitasan Black noticed that Almond Eye, standing nearby, looked a bit lost. Besides nervousness, there was also curiosity and a hint of envy in her eyes. Kitasan Black's expression shifted slightly; she reached out and pulled Almond Eye to her side, then smiled at the fans and said:
"Let me introduce everyone—this is my junior, Almond Eye-chan!"
"Let's take photos together with her too. She's a future star runner!"
As she spoke, she turned to Almond Eye and smiled encouragingly:
"Ai-chan will definitely become a star in the future. I'm sure you'll win many more races and have lots of fans."
"So you can treat this as practice in advance."
"Or… do you not have confidence?"
Still a bit hesitant at first, upon hearing Kitasan Black's words, Almond Eye suddenly straightened her back. Facing the crowd's curious and expectant gazes, she nodded firmly:
"Of course I have confidence! I—I…"
She paused for a moment. Seeing Kitasan Black beside her, and a bit further away Makoto and Mechalyn—both smiling at her encouragingly—she looked back at the fans and raised her voice:
"My name is Almond Eye. I'll soon become a student at Tracen Academy, and after my debut…"
"I will definitely become an even stronger and more outstanding runner than Kitasan Black-senpai—and many other senpai!"
The crowd fell silent in surprise for a moment, then burst into enthusiastic cheers and applause.
Standing nearby, watching Kitasan Black and Almond Eye, Makoto lightly tapped his left shoulder with his right hand, his heart filled with satisfaction.
He knew that although Kitasan Black hadn't yet officially entered the open-class racing circuit, she had already grown into a mature and charismatic runner.
And under the example of this senior, Almond Eye was also beginning, little by little, to show a brilliance that belonged to her alone.
While watching the two Umamusume as well, Mechalyn clapped excitedly and said with emotion:
"Looks like Ma-kun really has been teaching them well… now I can go back and tell your father not to worry so much anymore."
"I've definitely been putting my heart into it. Dad just… tends to worry too much," Makoto replied casually, shaking his head slightly.
"But they're already outstanding to begin with."
"All I can really do is guide them and help them discover that excellence within themselves."
"Mhm, that humility must come from me," Mechalyn said, half-joking and half-serious.
Then, as her gaze turned toward him again, concern appeared in her eyes:
"But really, being a trainer who guides Umamusume while being injured yourself isn't exactly reassuring."
"And you even deliberately hid it from us, saying you couldn't come home because you were too busy."
"If your father hadn't noticed something wrong with your arm at the URA party, I would've thought nothing had happened to you at all."
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Tn: I updated the story daily, but if you want to see more chapter of this story ahead of time, please go to my Patreon.
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